1. Shaxi Ancient Town: A Land of Independent Treasures
Shaxi Ancient Town is located in the southern part of Jianchuan County, Dali Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, at latitude 36 ° 11 ′ -26 ° 19 ′ N and longitude 99 ° 45 ′ -99 ° 58 ′ E. It is located between Dali Scenic Area and the Old Town of Lijiang, with a total area of 287 square kilometers. The average altitude here is 2100 meters, belonging to the subtropical plateau monsoon climate, with significant vertical climate characteristics
Shaxi Ancient Town has a long and glorious history. Its history can be traced back to the Yin and Shang dynasties, when there were a large number of copper mines in the local area, and Shaxi became one of the important birthplaces of Yunnan's bronze culture. During the Tang and Song dynasties, namely the Nanzhao and Dali periods, Shaxi became a concentrated area for salt production due to its proximity to salt wells and wide dams. Salt also became one of the main commodities traded in the Shaxi region, leading to unprecedented economic and cultural development. In the late Yuan and early Qing dynasties, Shaxi gradually became an ancient road network mainly composed of salt, supplemented by tea and horses, with silk and handicrafts radiating outwards. It was one of the main areas on the Tea Horse Ancient Road that integrated commerce, agriculture, and transportation industriesAs an important post on the Tea Horse Ancient Road, Shaxi Ancient Town witnessed the prosperity and glory of ancient trade. It is like an isolated treasure, emitting a unique charm. Here, numerous ancient buildings and historical relics are preserved, as if an opened historical scroll. Walking on the cobblestone road of the ancient town, one can hear the sound of horse hooves and feel the bustling atmosphere of ancient commerce. The ancient temples, theaters, shops and other buildings have all witnessed the glory of Shaxi Ancient Town in the pastIn the morning of the first day, take a business car or carpool from Dali Old City to the ancient town of Shaxi, enjoying the natural scenery of Yunnan and the pleasant breeze. About two and a half hours later, we arrived at Shaxi Ancient Town. As soon as you enter the ancient town, you can feel the rich folk culture and historical heritage. The ancient buildings and stone roads seem to be telling stories of the pastIn the afternoon, it happened to be the market day every Friday. The market in Shaxi is very lively, with everything for sale and local characteristics. You can purchase some local specialties here, such as ginseng and wild mushrooms. After the market is over, return to the homestay to rest, bask in the sun in the yard, and have afternoon tea. Enjoy this leisurely time Get up early and feel the tranquility and beauty of Shaxi in the morning. The fresh air makes people feel relaxed and happy. Go to a coffee shop or avant-garde bookstore, enjoy a cup of fragrant coffee, read a favorite book, and spend a pleasant morning Taking photos in the ancient town, every alley and building is a good place to take pictures. At noon, check in Liu Yifei for the same mint coffee. Here, you can taste delicious coffee and snacks, while experiencing the charm of celebrity style dishes The Hui people rest in the dormitory, continue to bask in the sun and drink afternoon tea. Enjoy this leisurely time and relax your body and mind In the afternoon, take a small yellow car to Pioneer Bookstore. The bookstore is located in another village, and the round-trip cost is 40 yuan per car. The Pioneer Bookstore was transformed from a granary, integrating with local residential buildings while retaining its own characteristics. After browsing the bookstore, you can go to the Pioneer Cafe across the street to sit down. There is a tower in the caf é, which is the same photo location as Li Xian's. Here, you can enjoy beautiful scenery and take photos as souvenirs The ancient stage is located in the center of the building complex on the east side of Sifang Street, facing the street. It was first built in the Qing Dynasty and is a three story Kuixing Pavilion with a stage structure. The flying eaves and overlapping corners make the structure unique and the craftsmanship exquisite. The ancient stage is one of the core symbols of Shaxi Ancient Town. It used to be a gathering place for tea and salt merchants, but now it has become a popular spot for tourists to take photos and check in. Standing in front of the ancient theater stage, one can almost see the bustling scene of the past, imagining the opera performances and lively commercial activities of that time. The architectural style of the ancient stage is full of Bai ethnic characteristics, with intricate carvings and exquisite murals, all showcasing the sedimentation of history Yujin Bridge was first built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, quietly spanning the Heihui River with a simple and beautiful appearance. This is a must pass on the Tea Horse Ancient Road, with horse hooves carved by horse hooves on the bluestone slabs of the bridge deck, witnessing the prosperity of the past. Yujin Bridge is not only a transportation hub, but also a beautiful scenery. In the morning, the sun rises from the east, casting its rays on the bridge. The river shimmers with golden waves and mist, creating a picturesque scene. In the evening, as the sun sets in the west, the sunset shines on the sky and water, creating a breathtaking sight. At night, you can still see the beautiful starry sky here, which makes people intoxicated. According to statistics, over tens of thousands of tourists come to Yujin Bridge every year to enjoy the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky Lanlinge Hotel in Dali Old City has direct train operation. At 09:00 a.m., Dali Shaxi, and at 15:00 p.m., Shaxi Dali, the train departs for more than three people, and does not depart for less than three people. The number of daily round-trip flights is not fixed, and the one-way price is 75 yuan/person. It is necessary to contact the hotel in advance to make a reservation Driving to Shaxi is very convenient, and the recommended departure destinations are Kunming, Lijiang, and Dali. The whole journey from Kunming to Shaxi is about 473 kilometers, taking about 6 hours. It passes through Anchu Expressway, Chuda Expressway, Dali Expressway, and exits at Diannan exit. After getting off the highway, go straight for about 4 kilometers to the three-way intersection of Shibaoshan Scenic Area and Lanping. Turn left and walk 10 kilometers along the direction of Shibaoshan Scenic Area to reach the intersection of Shibaoshan Scenic Area and Shaxi Town. Turn left for 12 kilometers to reach Shaxi Ancient Town. This section of road is a rural road with asphalt surface and many bends, so it is important to pay attention to driving safety. The whole journey from Lijiang to Shaxi is about 99 kilometers, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Take the Dali Expressway, exit at Diannan exit, and then follow the instructions to drive. If you travel from Dali to Shaxi, the total distance is about 140 kilometers and takes about 2 hours. Also, take the Dali Expressway and exit at the Diannan exit to get off the expressway(2) The next day
III. Recommended Scenic Spots
(1) Iconic Buildings
1 Ancient Stage: Located in the center of the ancient town, it is a landmark building of Shaxi and suitable for taking photos and checking in
2. Yujin Bridge: Shaxi Ancient Bridge, where you can enjoy the sunrise, sunset, and starry sky
3. Pioneer Bookstore: Transformed from a granary and integrated with local residential architectural features
(II) Featured Check in Spots
1 Ouyang Courtyard: Liu Yifei's check-in spot in the drama, with many antique items to visit
2. Coffee shop in Shaxi Ancient Town: Tasting coffee, half mountain coffee overlooking the scenery
3. Sideng Street: The Kuixing Pavilion behind the ancient stage offers a panoramic view of Shaxi
IV. Transportation and Accommodation
(1) Transportation Mode
1 Bus: First take a bus to Jianchuan County for transfer, then take a mini car to Shaxi
2. Scenic Area Direct Bus: There is a bus that goes directly to the Lanlin Ge Hotel in the ancient city
3. Self driving: More convenient, get off the highway and you will reach the ancient town
(II) Accommodation Options
1 Ancient Town Inn: Experience the local traditional living environment
2. Surrounding resorts: Enjoy the tranquility of nature
V. Food and Entertainment
(1) Food Recommendations
1 Local snacks: Pickled vegetables, straw cake, Taicang meat floss, rice cake, cloud cake, etc
2. Restaurant cuisine: Old Master Noodle Shop, Rou Song Bone from Zhuyuan, Su style Fine Noodles with toppings from Nanyuan Noodle Shop, etc
(II) Entertainment Activities
1 Camping at Shaxi Small Forest Farm offers paid fishing, zip line, rock climbing, campfire outdoor karaoke, self-service barbecue, and movie watching
2. Riding a horse to experience the Tea Horse Ancient Road, hiking lightly to the back of Shibao Mountain to overlook the ancient town and visit the Nanzhao Grottoes
3. Go to the market on Friday and experience the most authentic urban atmosphere